Improved design technique for the realization of wireless sensors' antennas in dissipative media

Abstract

The interest in the exploitation of wireless sensor networks in dissipative media (other than the free space) is nowadays growing in importance, thanks to the identification of new fields of application. This paper introduces an efficient design methodology for an easy definition of the geometrical characteristics of the antenna. The proposed procedure takes into account the coupling mechanism with the surrounding medium, as well as the electromagnetic interaction with the electronic and metallic components that form the sensor. In this way, the design of the radiofrequency components is carried out by means of a simplified iterative pre-conditioned modeling procedure that avoids expensive running times typical of a complete full wave method. Results obtained for the design of mobile sensor networks floating in underground water conduits confirm the adequacy of the proposed method.